Method and device for providing an integral firearms safety lock mechanism

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides an integral firearms safety lock that safely provides locking capabilities in a firearm. The integral firearms safety lock ensures that a firearm is unable to fire by a simple manual manipulation of a locking mechanism. Moreover, an integral firearms safety lock is provided that contacts and locks a firing pin safety thereby preventing any unauthorized firing of the firearm.

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/880,570 filed on Jul. 1, 2004, and itspredecessor Provisional Patent Application No. 60/483,653 filed on Jul.1, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a safety lock for use in afirearm. In particular, an exemplary embodiment of the present inventionrelates to a lock that is integrally connected to the firing pin safetyso as provide an efficient integral firearms safety lock mechanism.

2. Background

In recent years, due to an increase in the number injuries and deathsresulting from accidental gun discharges, many organizations are lookingfor solutions to reduce and eliminate these incidences. Moreover, thetrend of injuries and deaths has been of an increasing concern sincemany of the incidences occur with children.

Manual safeties are provided on many firearms available today. Themanual safeties provide a way for a firearm user to manually actuate aswitch located on the firearm to prevent an unexpected firing of thefirearm. The safety can prevent a firearm from discharging in asituation where it is mishandled while, being holstered, or jostled whenlocated near a person's body. By actuating the manual safety switch, thefiring mechanism of the firearm is blocked so it cannot move to fire abullet.

However, the use of a manual safety is only recommended as apreventative measure when the firearm is being handled (but not fired)and is not especially helpful to prevent unauthorized use of thefirearm. For example, if the firearm is placed in the hands of a personinexperienced in firearm handling (e.g., a child), the child couldaccidentally or otherwise release the manual safety of the firearmthereby enabling the firing of the firearm by actuation of the trigger.

There continues to be a need for a mechanism to prevent unauthorized useof a firearm. In response to this need as well as to recent lawsrequiring a locking mechanism, firearm safety locks have been proposedto solve this problem and to provide an additional, manner of locking afirearm. A firearm lock provides the specific advantage that it can onlybe actuated by a unique key associated with the lock, and unauthorizedusers (e.g., thieves, children, or the like) are unable to inadvertentlyor purposefully unlock the firearm.

Many types of firearm safety locks have been provided in order to ensuresafety. For example, some safety locks can be inserted into a portion ofa firearm to prevent the firearm from firing. For example, in U.S. Pat.No. 6,725,592 to Reed, a non-integral firearm safety lock is insertedinto a firearm's firing chamber ejector and loading port, and isexpanded and locked to prevent the weapon from being fired. Once thefirearm safety lock is inserted into the firearm's open chamber, a keyis used to expand a locking plate that is forced downward, fills andseals the loading port, which disables the weapon. While this type oflock secures the weapon, there is an inordinate amount of manualmanipulation required to actually lock the firearm.

Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 6,405,470 to Strahan discloses an integralfirearm safety lock that employs a locking element formed to directlyprevent the firing pin from moving to strike a bullet. While the lockingof the firearm is simpler than the lock described above, there areseveral disadvantages to employing this locking element that is indirect contact with the firing pin. For example, when employing a screwto lock the firing pin, as Strahan does, there is no certainty that amanual action (rotation of the screw) will lock the device. In otherwords, a person can attempt to lock the device, by rotating the screw,and feel that the device has been locked, when in actuality, the screwhas not actually contacted the firing pin to prevent firing. What isneeded is an integral firearm lock that provides maximum protection aswell as certainty of locking.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention provides an integral firearms safetylock that is able to safely provide locking capabilities in the firearmand to ensure that a firearm can be made unable to fire by a simplemanual manipulation of a locking mechanism. Moreover, in accordance withan exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an integral firearmssafety lock is provided that contacts and locks a firing pin safetythereby preventing any unauthorized firing of the firearm.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, anintegral firearms safety lock for preventing movement of a firing pinsafety is disclosed. The integral firearms safety lock comprises alocking shaft and a detent pin. The locking shaft further includes arecess and a contact area while the detent pin contacts the lockingshaft in a contact area. The locking shaft can be rotated between anunlocked position and a locked position. In the unlocked position, thelocking shaft permits movement of the firing pin safety and, in thelocked position, the locking shaft contacts the firing pin safety toprevent its movement.

In further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the contactarea of the locking shaft includes a first detent including a first stopand a second detent including a second stop. Also, the detent pin ispositioned in the first detent when the locking shaft is in an unlockedstate and is positioned in the second detent when the locking shaft isin a locked state.

In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the lockingshaft and the detent pin are integral to the firearm. Additionally, thelocking shaft further includes a chamfer to enable removal of thelocking shaft from the firearm.

In accordance with yet another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, a method for locking a firearm so as to be unable to fire isdisclosed. The method comprises inserting a tool into an end of alocking shaft located in the firearm. The tool is used to rotate thelocking shaft from an unlocked position to a locked position. A radialportion of the locking shaft rotates into a groove located in a firingpin safety. In the locked position, the locking shaft contacts thefiring pin safety to prevent movement of the firing pin safety. The toolis removed from the end of the locking shaft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of this inventionwill be described in relation to the following figures in which likereference characters refer to the same parts throughout the differentviews.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a conventional firearm whereinexemplary embodiments of the present invention can be employed;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of various parts associated withthe slide of a conventional firearm in accordance with an exemplaryaspect of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the integral firearms safety lockmechanism and associated parts provided in a firearm slide in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a diagram depicting the integral firearms safety lock of thepresent invention in an unlocked position in accordance with anexemplary aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the integral firearms safety lock ofthe present invention in an unlocked position in accordance with anexemplary aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 5A is diagram depicting the integral firearms safety lock of thepresent invention in a locked position in accordance with an exemplaryaspect of the present invention;

FIGS. 5B and 5C are perspective views of the integral firearms safetylock of the present invention in a locked position in accordance with anexemplary aspect of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the integral firearms safety lock of thepresent invention between the locked position and the unlocked positionin accordance with an exemplary aspect of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention relates to a firearmsafety lock mechanism and method for use. Although specific embodimentswill be illustrated and described herein with regard to itsimplementation within handguns, it should be appreciated by those ofordinary skill in the art that such a system and method would also beadvantageous, for example, for any type of firearm in which a slide isemployed. Additionally, this application is intended to cover anyadaptations or variations of the present invention that generally relateto firearm safety locks.

In the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments,reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form part hereof,and in which is shown by way of illustration, specific exemplaryembodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodimentsare described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art topractice the invention, and it is to be understood that otherembodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical changes may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. The following detailed description is therefore not to betaken in a limiting sense.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a conventional firearm 100 (e.g., a handgun) isshown. The firearm 100 includes, among many other parts, a grip 110, atrigger 120 a front sight 130 a rear sight 140, a magazine catch 150 anda slide 180. Providing more specificity, FIG. 2 depicts a partialexploded view of the conventional firearm 100 described generally abovewith regard to FIG. 1. Specifically, FIG. 2 discloses some of theintegral parts associated with the function of a safety lever 225. As isshown, the firearm 100 also includes a pivot pin 210 for a sear 220 andsafety lever 225, an ejector 215, sear spring 230 and roll pin 235.Additionally, several parts are located within the slide 180.Specifically, a firing pin safety 240 and firing pin safety spring 245,a firing pin 250 and associated firing pin spring 255 as well as afiring pin bolt 260 are illustrated. For the purpose of urging firingpin 250 rearward, spring 255 is provided, one end of which abuts againstan internal surface of the slide 180 and the other end of which abutsagainst a surface of the firing pin 250.

In normal operation, when a firearm user wishes to discharge the firearm100, the trigger 120 is pulled. When the trigger 120 is pulled, thefirearm 100, through actuation of a plurality of known mechanical partsthat comprise the firing mechanism of the firearm, manually actuates thesafety lever 225. The safety lever 225 rotates around the pivot pin 210and contacts the firing pin safety 240. The firing pin safety 240 isthen forced to move upward against a bias provided by the firing pinsafety spring 245. The movement of the firing pin safety 240 upwardenables the firing pin 250 to be actuated and thereby cause firing ofthe firearm 100. Conversely, when the firing pin safety 240 is unable toor is prevented from moving upward, the firing pin 250 is unable to moveto allow discharge of the firearm 100.

FIG. 3 provides an exploded view of a slide 300 that includes theintegral firearms safety locking mechanism provided in accordance withan exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The integral firearmssafety locking mechanism of the present invention includes a lockingshaft 310 for insertion into a hole 340 and a detent pin 320 andassociated detent pin spring 330 for insertion into a hole 350 locatedon the slide 300 as the detent pin 320 secures the locking shaft 310 ineither a locked or unlocked position. The detent pin spring 330 appliestension between the locking shaft 310 and the detent pin 320.

In accordance with the present invention, FIG. 3 also illustrates thatthe firing pin safety 240 includes a cutout portion 360 (shown in moredetail in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B) to which the locking shaft 310 abuts,when the safety locking mechanism is locked. As is well known, firingpin 250 is disposed in a hole 257 formed in slide 300. When the integralsafety lock of the present invention is in a locked position, the firingpin safety 240 is unable to move upward and thus is unable to free thefiring pin 250 to move and fire a bullet.

FIG. 4A illustrates the integral safety lock mechanism of the presentinvention in an unlocked state. Locking shaft 310 lies transverselyacross the shaft of the firearm in the hole 340, as illustrated in FIG.3. The locking shaft 310 includes a detent pin contact area. The detentpin contact area includes two detents 415 and 417 located at the end ofthe locking shaft 310 inserted into hole 340 (not shown in FIG. 4A).Each detent includes a stop, 421 and 419 (see FIG. 5A) respectively, toprevent further movement of the detent pin 320 as the locking shaft isrotated.

The two detents 415 and 417, located on the insertion end of the lockingshaft 310 enable the locking shaft 310 to be rotated from an unlockedstate to a locked state and from a locked state to an unlocked state.The stops are situated approximately 90 degrees apart, and the field ofmovement of the locking pin when moving from a locked state to anunlocked state and from an unlocked state to a locked state. The use ofdetent pin 320 and detent pin spring 330 places a downward bias on thedetent pin 320 enabling the locking shaft to stay in either the lockedor unlocked position as well as to stay positioned in the hole 340.Additionally, detent pin 320, in one exemplary embodiment of theinvention, includes a tapered end 425 to provide the locking mechanism asmooth transition from one state to another.

The locking shaft 310 also includes a recess 410 located on alongitudinal portion of the locking shaft 310. The recess 410 provides apassage through the locking shaft for the firing pin safety 240 when thesafety locking mechanism is unlocked. As shown in FIG. 4A, when thedetent pin 320 is in detent 415, the recess is positioned so as topermit movement of the firing pin safety and, as a result, firing of thefirearm 100.

Located on one exterior end of the locking shaft is an indentation 405(e.g., a uniquely shaped recess) which allows a tool to interface androtate the shaft. The tool (e.g., a key) enables only authorizedpersonnel to lock and unlock the integral firearms safety lock of thefirearm 100. The locking shaft also includes a recess 410 that allowsfree movement of the firing pin safety 240.

FIG. 4B provides a perspective view of the locking pin in an unlockedstate. Specifically, when the locking pin 310 is in the unlockedposition, the firing pin safety 240 is free to move through recess 410of the locking pin 310. As discussed above, when a user pulls thetrigger 120, the firearm 100, actuates the safety lever 225. The safetylever 225 rotates around the pivot pin 210 and contacts the firing pinsafety 240. The firing pin safety 240 is then forced to move upwardagainst a bias provided by the firing pin safety spring 245. When theintegral firearms safety locking mechanism is unlocked as describedabove, the movement of the firing pin safety 240 upward is notinhibited, which enables the firing pin 250 to be actuated to causefiring of the firearm 100.

FIG. 5A provides a view of the locking shaft 310 in a locked position.Locking occurs when a key (discussed above) or another like object, isinserted into the indentation 405 located on the face of the lockingshaft 310, mounted in the slide 300, and rotated 90 degrees from theunlocked position. The internal safety lock holds the detent pin 320 inthe detent 417 under a spring tension. By restricting the safety lock to90 degrees of movement between unlock and lock or vice versa, a usereasily knows that the firearm is either in the locked or unlockedposition. All a user needs to do is rotate the key from one position(either locked or unlocked) 90 degrees to the other position (eitherunlocked or locked) to the stops placed at the ends of the detents.

As the locking shaft 310 rotates, recess 410 is rotated so as to faceaway from the end of the firing pin safety 240. As a result, the lockingshaft 310 now blocks movement of the firing pin safety 240. Morespecifically, when the key is being used to place the locking shaft intothe locked state, the radial part of the locking shaft 310 will rotateinto a groove 360 located in the firing pin safety 240, thus restrictingits movement. Since the movement of the firing pin safety 240 isrestricted, the safety lever 225 is also restricted, preventing adischarge of the firearm 100.

The firearm 100 can again be unlocked when a key is inserted into theindentation 405 located on the face of the locking shaft 310, mounted inthe slide 300, and rotated 90 degrees in the opposite direction. As thelocking shaft rotates the radial part of the shaft is positioned in theslide, creating an open path for the firing pin safety 240, thusallowing the firing mechanism to be unrestricted. FIGS. 5B and 5Cprovide different perspective views of the interaction of the lockingshaft 310 and the firing pin safety 240.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, in accordance with another exemplaryembodiment of the present invention, the locking shaft 310 can alsoinclude a chamfer 600 (also illustrated in FIG. 4B) which can include a45 degree angle cutout on the ridge between the two detents 415 and 417.This midpoint position between the two detent positions on the lockingshaft 310 is the required position for the detent pin 320 in order forremoval of the locking shaft 310 from the slide 300 of the firearm.

It is, therefore, apparent that there has been provided, in accordancewith the present invention, an integral firearms safety lock. While thisinvention has been described in conjunction with a number ofembodiments, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications andvariations would be or are apparent to those of ordinary skill in theapplicable arts. For example, the exact location of the integralfirearms safety lock can be varied, for example, based on the type offirearm. Furthermore, the key can be any device that is adapted tocooperate with the locking shaft to facilitate locking and unlocking.Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives,modifications, equivalents and variations that are within the spirit andscope of this invention.

1. A method for locking a firearm so as to be unable to fire,comprising: inserting a tool into an end of a locking shaft located inthe firearm; using the tool, rotating the locking shaft from an unlockedposition to a locked position wherein a radial portion of the lockingshaft rotates into a groove located in a firing firing pin safety,wherein in the locked position, the locking shaft contacts the firingpin safety to prevent movement of the firing pin safety; and removingthe tool from the end of the locking shaft.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein the rotation of the locking shaft further causes a change in thelocation of a detent pin, in contact with the locking shaft, from afirst detent to a second detent on the locking shaft
 3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the locking shaft and the detent pin are both integralto the firearm.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the detent pincontacts a detent pin spring that biases the detent pin against thelocking shaft.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the locking shaft isrotated by 90 degrees to change the state of the firearm from anunlocked state to a locked state.